Teach-In: Pastoral Care for LGBTQ Youth, Part 2

Winter 2018 More Light Teach-In Series: Pastoral Care For LGBTQ Youth

When we baptize children into our community, we promise to nurture them in the faith and support them as they grow. As a church, the promises we make when we baptize someone bring with them a commitment to take the journey with young people as they mature in their faith. What does that support look like for LGBTQ youth? How do we proactively create spaces in church so LGBTQ youth know they are welcome? This series will address practical ways in which congregations can proactively support LGBTQ youth.

Part 2: Friday, February 16, 2018, 3:00 PM Eastern

What will we learn?Part 2 will address practical ways congregations can support LGBTQ youth, including how to write and implement policies for bathrooms, camp, and church trips, and how to create an inclusive worship space.

Co-Trainer: Ashley DeTar Birt

Ashley DeTar Birt is a recent graduate of Union Theological Seminary where she obtained her M.Div. She also holds degrees from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh.

Ashley currently works as the Director of Christian Education at Rutgers Presbyterian Church in New York, NY with some of the most fun kids she’s ever met. Her interests include the intersections of racial justice, children and youth, interfaith communication, LGBTQ+ issues (particularly the B), and Christianity.

When she isn’t at church or doing social justice work, she enjoys writing, sound editing and theatre tech.

Co-Trainer: Harry Zweckbronner

Harry is the Program Director at Camp Hanover, the outdoor ministry of the Presbytery of the James. Camp Hanover, in conversation with the Presbytery, recently worked to develop a policy for trans campers.

Harry believes strongly in all aspects of Christian camping, and he is most passionate about team building and giving kids the opportunity to grow in their faith. A lifelong Presbyterian, Harry’s experiences attending summer camp as both camper and staff member played a large role in shaping the person he is today. Because of this, he is passionate about helping others have similarly significant experiences.

Prior to joining the Camp Hanover team, Harry served for ten years as the Program Director at the Johnsonburg Presbyterian Center, where he oversaw the summer camp program and year round youth retreats. Before following the call into camp ministry, Harry taught high school history for 7 years. Harry has also served on the board of the Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association and is a standards visitor for the American Camp Association.

In his down time, Harry loves spending time with his wife, and three children. He also likes to cook, coach youth sports, and is an avid sports fan.

Cost: $35 (Watching with a group? The cost of each teach-in part is weighed based on group size. If you are watching with a group of 2-5 people, the TOTAL cost of Part 2 is $35; with a group of 6-20 people, the total cost of Part 2 is $50; with a group of 21 or more, the total cost of Part 2 is $100).

How can our congregations be places of welcome for transgender and gender non-binary folks? The starting point for that journey is learning how to discuss the nuances of gender identity and sexual orientation in order to provide a strong foundation of welcome.

So, what does trans inclusion look like? This teach-in will give participants a vocabulary for of welcome and offers fresh ways to discuss gender identity and sexual orientation that look for commonalities rather than categories. In this training, we will also dive into the rich biblical foundation for trans inclusion and explore how churches have successfully made worship more welcoming. Participants will walk away with tools and tactics to make their church spaces more intentionally inclusive of trans identities.

Finally, what good is a light hidden under a bushel when people in your community live in darkness? Participants will complete the training with a great understanding of opportunities for action in the current legislative landscape offers faith-led advocates. Beyond national and state-level action, participants will also leave knowing how to implement pro-active policies and programs in their congregation.